HOS 11:7 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Part a: Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal
Part b: Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=unclear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

11:7 OSHB note: We agree with both BHS 1997 and BHQ on an unexpected reading.

Key: khaki:verbs, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX καὶ ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ ἐπικρεμάμενος ἐκ τῆς κατοικίας αὐτοῦ· καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἐπὶ τὰ τίμια αὐτοῦ θυμωθήσεται, καὶ οὐ μὴ ὑψώσῃ αὐτόν.
(kai ho laos autou epikremamenos ek taʸs katoikias autou; kai ho Theos epi ta timia autou thumōthaʸsetai, kai ou maʸ hupsōsaʸ auton. )

BrTr and his people shall cleave fondly to their habitation; but God shall be angry with his precious things, and shall not at all exalt him.

ULT My people are bent on turning away from me.
⇔ Though they call to the Most High,
⇔ he will not raise them up at all.

UST My people are determined to turn away from me.
⇔ They pretend to call out to me, the Most High God,
⇔ but I will allow no one to help them.

OEB For my people are bent in rebellion against me,
⇔ even if they call on the Most High he will not raise them[fn].

11:7 Heb. uncertain.

WEBBE My people are determined to turn from me.
⇔ Though they call to the Most High,
⇔ he certainly won’t exalt them.

WMBB (Same as above)

MSG ^(1-9)“When Israel was only a child, I loved him.
  I called out, ‘My son!’—called him out of Egypt.
But when others called him,
  he ran off and left me.
He worshiped the popular sex gods,
  he played at religion with toy gods.
Still, I stuck with him. I led Ephraim.
  I rescued him from human bondage,
But he never acknowledged my help,
  never admitted that I was the one pulling his wagon,
That I lifted him, like a baby, to my cheek,
  that I bent down to feed him.
Now he wants to go back to Egypt or go over to Assyria—
  anything but return to me!
That’s why his cities are unsafe—the murder rate skyrockets
  and every plan to improve things falls to pieces.
My people are hell-bent on leaving me.
  They pray to god Baal for help.
  He doesn’t lift a finger to help them.
But how can I give up on you, Ephraim?
  How can I turn you loose, Israel?
How can I leave you to be ruined like Admah,
  devastated like luckless Zeboim?
I can’t bear to even think such thoughts.
  My insides churn in protest.
And so I’m not going to act on my anger.
  I’m not going to destroy Ephraim.
And why? Because I am God and not a human.
  I’m The Holy One and I’m here—in your very midst.

NET My people are obsessed with turning away from me;
⇔ they call to Baal, but he will never exalt them!

LSV And My people are hanging in suspense about My returning,
And to the Most High they call,
Together they do not exalt.

FBV My people are hanging on to their apostasy from me. They call him “god on high”[fn] but he will not raise them up at all.

11:7 Israel called their idol “El Al,” or “god on high,” but this was a deliberately confusing title that merged together the worship of Yahweh and Baal.

T4T My people are determined to ◄turn away from/abandon► me.
⇔ They say that I am the great all-powerful God,
⇔ but they do not honor me at all.

LEB • My people are bent on backsliding from me. To the Most High they call,
• he does not raise them at all.

BBE My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.

Moff ⇔ But my people are now weary of revolting,
⇔ they cry to me…

JPS And My people are in suspense about returning to Me; and though they call them upwards, none at all will lift himself up.

ASV And my people are bent on backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him.

DRA And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off.

YLT And My people are hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.

Drby Yea, my people are bent upon backsliding from me: though they call them to the Most High, none at all exalteth [him].

RV And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him.

SLT And my people are bent to turning away from me: and they will call together to the Most High; he will not exalt them.

Wbstr And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him .

KJB-1769 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.[fn]

11.7 none…: Heb. together they exalted not

KJB-1611 [fn]And my people are bent to backesliding from mee: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above apart from footnotes)

11:7 Hebr. together they exalted not.

Bshps And my people shall stande in a doubt whither to turne them: for when the prophetes called them to the most hyest, not one yet woulde geue him his glorie.
(And my people shall stand in a doubt whither/where to turn them: for when the prophets called them to the most highest, not one yet would give him his glory.)

Gnva And my people are bent to rebellion against me: though they called them to the most hie, yet none at all would exalt him.
(And my people are bent to rebellion against me: though they called them to the most high, yet none at all would exalt him. )

Cvdl My people hath no lust to turne vnto me, their prophetes laye the yocke vpon the, but they ease them not of their burthen.
(My people hath/has no lust to turn unto me, their prophets lay the yoke upon them, but they ease them not of their burden.)

Wycl And my puple schal hange, at my comynge ayen. But a yok schal be put to hem togidere, that schal not be takun awei.
(And my people shall hange, at my coming again. But a yoke shall be put to hem together, that shall not be taken away.)

Luth Mein Volk ist müde, sich zu mir zu kehren; und wie man ihnen prediget, so richtet sich keiner auf.
(My people is tired, itself/yourself/themselves to/for to_me to/for sweep/bother; and as/like man to_them preaches, so directed itself/yourself/themselves none/no_one on/in/to.)

ClVg Et populus meus pendebit ad reditum meum; jugum autem imponetur eis simul, quod non auferetur.
(And the_people mine it_will_depend to return mine; yoke/collar however will_imposeur to_them at_the_same_time, that not/no will_be_taken_away. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 11:1–11 The LORD’s love for his people

This section refers back to Israel’s history, as do Section 9:10–17 and Section 10:1–8. In all three sections, the LORD describes the joyful beginning of his relationship with the people of Israel and their response of betrayal against him. The earlier sections focus more on the LORD’s punishment. The people will be taken into exile. This section focuses more on his love.

The LORD speaks of his love for Israel in the past (11:1–4), warns them of their future exile and destruction (11:5–7), and assures them that in the future he will turn from his anger and show them compassion. Because of his love for them, he promises that he will bring the people back to the land of Israel (11:8–11).

Here are some other examples of section headings:

The Lord’s Love for Israel (ESV)

Israel Is Like a Bad Son (GW)

Throughout this section, the LORD is the speaker. When he refers to himself, he uses first person pronouns (“I/me/my”) except for verse 10, which has “Yahweh” and “he.” When he refers to the people or nation of Israel, he uses “Ephraim,” “they/them,” or “he/it.” The only exceptions are in 11:8–9. There the LORD uses the pronoun “you(sg)” to speak directly to Ephraim and to Judah.

Paragraph 11:5–7

In this paragraph, the LORD warns that Assyria will take the people of Israel into exile, because they continue to turn away from him.

11:7a

My people are bent on turning from Me.

They persist in turning away from me.
My people have committed themselves to abandon me.

My people are bent on turning from Me: The relationship of this line to the surrounding context is not clear. This line may be stating again the theme of turning away from the LORD as in 11:5. Some versions translate this line as a reason for the war described in 11:6 by starting the verse with the word “For.” The majority of versions leave implied the relationship of this line to the context. Translate the relationship of this line to the context in a natural way in your language.

bent on turning from Me: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “hung up to/on my apostasy.” Here the word “hung up” has the figurative meaning of “determined” or “fixated upon.” It means that the people will not change their attitude or behavior.McComiskey (page 189). The Hebrew word “to/on my apostasy” means to reject or rebel against the LORD.The Hebrew word “to my apostasy” is understood to mean apostasy/backsliding from “me” [the LORD]. Andersen and Freedman (page 586) suggest the case is ablative, indicating motion away from something. This is likely, since the word “apostasy,” as used in the OT, means the act of turning away from the LORD.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

My people are bent on turning away from me (ESV)

They insist on turning away from me (GNT)

my people are determined to desert me (NLT)

11:7b

Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

Although they pray to the Most High, he will not help them at all.
Even if they call to the Most High God, he will do nothing to help them.

Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them: In Hebrew, this sentence is literally “and to a height they call him together not he will exalt them.” This sentence has one main textual issue and various interpretations. The textual issue will be discussed first.

There is a textual issue concerning the Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as Most High:

The Masoretic Text has the phrase “and to a height.” See the separate note on the interpretations of this phrase. For example:
the One on high (NASB) (BSB, ESV, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NCV, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV)
Some ancient versions have the word “yoke” instead of “height.”Some early version examples are the Greek Aquila and Symmachus, the Aramaic Targum and the Latin Vulgate. For example:
the yoke that is on them (GNT) (GNT, RSV)
Some scholars think that the original text had “Baal” instead of “height.”The BHS editors recommend that the word “height” be changed to “Baal.” It is also supported by Stuart (page 174). A similar result can be attained without any change to the Hebrew text. Andersen and Freedman (page 587) suggest that the phrase, “and to a height” refers to an unspecified false god. The CEV translation may be an example of this interpretation. It has, “My people are determined to reject me for a god they think is stronger, but he can’t help.” For example:
they call to Baal (NET) (NET, REB)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It has good support from scholars, ancient versions and most modern versions.See Dearman (page 286), Andersen and Freedman (page 574) and Wood (page 213). The LXX and Peshitta translate “height” as “God.”

Though: This word is not in the Hebrew text. The BSB supplies it to make explicit the logical relationship between the first clause of the sentence “they call to the Most High” and the second clause “he will by no means exalt them.” The logical relationship is that the people’s action of calling to the LORD does not result in the LORD exalting them.

Here are some other ways to indicate this connection:

To the Most High they call, but he does not raise them up at all. (NRSV)

Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them. (NIV)

Indicate this relationship between the clauses in a natural way in your language.

they call: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “they call him.”This phrase is a single affixed word in Hebrew. There are two main interpretations of this phrase:

The people call to the LORD. The referent of they is the people of Israel. The word call means to pray. The referent of “him” is the Most High. For example:
they call out to the Most High (ESV) (BSB, ESV, GW, NAB, NIV, NRSV)The NLT is similar. It has, “They call me the Most High…” It is not included here because the NLT understands, “call him” to mean the name people use to refer to God, rather than to mean, “pray to him.”
The prophets called the people to return to the LORD. The referent of they is the prophets. The word call means to urge or summon. The referent of “him” is Israel. For example:
The prophets call them to turn to me (NCV) (KJV, NASB, NCV)The NJB and NJPS are similar. For example, the NJB has, “they are summoned to come up…” These versions are not included here because they do not explicitly state that the prophets are the ones calling the people and because they interpret, “height” to mean “upward” and not “the LORD.”

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions.Interpretation (2) is possible, but it assumes that Hosea uses the non-specific pronoun “they” to introduce a new participant into the story line - “the prophets.” It is more likely that the pronoun “they” refers back to the previously introduced participant “the people.” It makes sense in this context and has the support of one of the ancient versions.The Syriac Peshitta has: “they shall call to God.”

to the Most High: The Hebrew text is literally “and to a height.” There two main interpretations:

The phrase “and to a height” is a short form of the descriptive phrase Most High. It refers to the LORD.Dearman (page 286) and Wood (page 213). For example:
To the Most High they call (NRSV) (BSB, ESV, GW, KJV, NAB, NCV, NIV, NLT, NRSV)
The phrase “and to a height” means an upward direction. It refers figuratively to a high level of devotion/piety.In support, Macintosh (page 455) quotes rabbinic commentator ibn Janah, who says that ‘el ‘al denotes ‘the highest level’ i.e. true piety. Keil (page 91) and McComiskey (page 187) also support this interpretation. For example:
if they are summoned to come up (NJB) (NJB, NJPS)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions.

He will by no means exalt them: This clause is literally “together not he will exalt them.” There are two main interpretations:

The LORD will not exalt/liftHALOT (electronic edition, pp. 1203–1204) Polal 2. Dearman (page 286), Wood (page 213). the people. The verb “exalt/lift” means to help them in some way, perhaps by answering their prayers. This clause depicts the LORD’s negative response to the peoples’ apostasy. For example:
he shall not raise them up at all (ESV) (BSB, ESV, GW, NAB, NIV, NRSV)
The people will not exalt the LORD. The verb “exalt/rise” means to honor or worship God.Note that the final mem on the verb “exalt” is a feature of the polel imperfect form. It is not a plural suffix although it resembles one. Therefore, the object is implicit and could be “him” or “God” here, just as it could be “them.” This clause depicts the people’s apostasy. For example:
They call me the Most High, but they don’t truly honor me. (NLT) (NLT)The ASV, KJV, NASB, NCV also follow interpretation (2). However, they interpret it to be the people’s negative response to the prophets who call them to the LORD. That interpretation was not recommended in the previous note on the phrase “they call.”

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It makes good sense as the LORD’s negative response to the people calling to him.

by no means: There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as by no means:

The Hebrew word means “altogether.” It functions as a superlative or to give emphasis to something in the following clause.BDB (#3162) 2b says it occurs often in poetry beginning a clause with emphasis. Here it gives emphasis to the following verb “exalt.” For example:
He does not raise them up at all (NRSV) (BSB, ESV, NIV, NRSV)
The Hebrew word means “together” or “all at once.”HALOT (electronic edition, p. 405) 2a. It refers back to the people who call on the LORD in the previous clause.This is the function of the Hebrew word in some ancient versions. The Greek Aquila and Symmachus translate as “all at once.” The Syriac Peshitta translates as, “they will take counsel together.” For example:
In unison they cry out to him (NAB) (NAB)

The Display will follow interpretation (1), but the Hebrew word can have either meaning. The context does not clearly favor one over the other.

Parallel HOS 11:7

Section 11:1–11 The LORD’s love for his people

Paragraph 11:5–7

11:7a

11:7b